Barnet Council has been cited as a beacon of good practice by a Government-sponsored project investigating the causes, incentives and solutions for fly-tipping. Fly tipping has been identified previously as a high cost item to local authorities and an anti-social activity.
DEFRA commissioned the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science to carry out a nationwide study into fly-tipping. Barnet was chosen as one of 11 councils in the UK to be used as case studies.
Councillor Matthew Offord, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said:
“We have enjoyed success after success in tackling fly-tipping over the last few years and I am delighted that our pioneering work has been recognised by the Jill Dando Institute, and that our ideas can be shared with other authorities around the country.
He continued, “Anyone thinking of illegally dumping waste in the borough of Barnet should think again. We are determined to wipe out this unsightly crime from our borough.”
Investment in CCTV coupled with the introduction of handheld computers, were highlighted in a good practice guide produced by researchers, for use by other local authorities to help prevent fly-tipping in their areas. Barnet’s use of abandoned vehicle legislation was also highlighted in the report and included in the good practice guide.
Good use of technology, together with improved partnership working with external agencies such as the police, Environment Agency, HM Revenue and Customs and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), has seen the level of fly-tipping in Barnet plummet.
During 2003/4, more than 10,000 tonnes of large-scale construction and demolition waste was dumped in Barnet. The equivalent figure dropped to zero in 2005/6 and the number of small-scale waste incidents has also decreased sharply, with a drop of more than 1,400 incidents between 2004/5 and 2005/6.